The Seventh Edition continues to focus on the hallmark feature of its previous editions: providing a solid grounding in the foundations of database technology and shedding some light on how the field is likely to develop in the future. This comprehensive introduction to databases has been thoroughly revised to reflect the latest developments and advances in the field of database systems. Emphasizing insight and understanding rather than formalism, Chris Date has divided the book into six parts: Basic Concepts, The Relational Model, Database Design, Transaction Management, Further Topics, and Object and Object/Relational Databases. Throughout the book, there are numerous worked examples and exercises for the reader―with selected answers―as well as an extensive set of annotated references. The release of this new edition of An Introduction to Database Systems coincides with the 25th Anniversary of its initial publication.
"Chris Date is the computer industry's most respected expert and thinker on database technology, and his book An Introduction to Database Systems continues to be the definitive work for those wanting a comprehensive and current guide to database systems." ― Colin J. White, Founder, DataBase Associates International, Inc.
"...both an indispensable read and an indispensable reference. No serious information systems or database practitioner should be without this book." ― Declan Brady, MBCS, Systems Architect and Database Specialist, ICL
"[The book's] greatest appeal is its comprehensiveness and the fact that it is very up-to-date with research developments. The latter factor is due mainly to [Date's] involvement with these developments, which gives him a unique opportunity to write about them." ― David Livingstone, University of Northumbria at Newcastle
"A truly comprehensive, state-of-the-art coverage of the Relational Model, written in the clear and precise style that characterizes Date." ― Sudha Ram, University of Arizona
"The author's deep insights into the area, informal treatment of profound topics, open-ended discussions of critical issues, comprehensive and up-to-date contents, as well as rich annotations on bibliography have made the book most popular in the database area for more than two decades. ― Qiang Zhu, The University of Michigan-Dearborn
"C. J. Date's book presents, SQL facilities more clearly and in greater detail than other books. Readers can learn both theorems and acquire knowledge for practical work from this book." ― Huizhu Lu, Oklahoma State University
"One thing which I have always found good about Date's text is the set of references at the end of each chapter. These references reflect both historical and recent research and provide a good source of information for the interested reader." ― Tim Hartley, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Hartford
